What Do You Think This Cover Is Worth?

I am interesting in buying this from someone and I'd be curious what the SCF mavens and all think. From 1895

It is odd : #58 (NFLD) and #35a or #36 on U2 Postal Stationary with unknown British Postage due in the corner (anyone know this one?)

Registered from Newfoundland to Surrey then forwarded to Berlin.

I like it but don't think it worth $300 (the asking price)

$300? Does it have some gold dust in it?

The British stamp in the corner is not postage due, just additional postage added. It would be worth more as a postage due cover, but still not $300 in my eyes.

It would be worth $60-80 in my eyes.

Bear in mind that there is 'some' postal history significance. I am not an expert on Newfoundland covers, but, you have to consider the fact that it was sent from Newfoundland to Berlin, Germany. However, on it destination, it was sent to Britain, assumedly for distribution / forwarding and had extra postage affixed, hence the postage due.

IMHO, it should be between $150.00 to $200.00 for the cover. Registered covers usually command a premium as a rule anyway.

Just a guess on my part really

Chimo

Bujutsu

It is probably a good example of the forwarded and re-addressed mail process. But not worth $300 to me. There is better stuff out there for that money.

Terry

I think the dual-franking (stamps from two countries) makes this desirable, specifically from this period. How many does one see? If it were in my collecting area (& I could afford it) I would pay $300. It appears to be in very good condition too.

Is the vendor firm on the price? Maybe a bit of haggling...

I am uncomfortable with this type of cover.


Was 2 1/2 d needed for the re-direction?

Articles properly paid for their first transmission (Newfoundland to England in this case) were charged the difference between the amount of postage already paid and that which would have been charged had the article been originally addressed to the new destination (Newfoundland - Germany).

In this case the full rate from GB to Germany, 2 1/2d., was paid. It probably should have been less.If the letter was opened then perhaps 2 1/2 d. would have been required.

But what about the registration fee? Would it have to have been re-registered?These are questions which would make me hesitant to spend $300.

tommy, do you have registered covers to the UK and Germany (UPU destination) for this period? If you don't, then obtaining them might be preferable to getting this one.

Just an opinion. I do not know what the retail value of the cover.

Thank you for all the comments. Obviously, there is no correct answer; I posted this just because I felt it create a different sort of posting than many of the SCF topics, which have objective answers. Keep them coming, its fun.

I concur with most of the comments above, that this is way overpriced. gold dust indeed! I intend to haggle, but not chase it. It feels to me to be in the $100 to $150 range...here is my logic: the Unitrade value of the used stamps is $124 not counting the British stamp...does anybody have a Scott Catalog number and value for that one????). The NSSC has a cover value of these combined of like $325 but adding some for registration and then say discounting it by 50% would suggest $175 at the high end. who knows?

I am always mindful of the investment nature and if I paid $X for it, would my estate get that back? I think at $300 the answer is no. At $100, probably yes.

As many of you know, I collect only Newfoundland and am now actively buying all covers that I can find. This one is unusual, and I have not seen one quite like this (ie, from Newfoundland to England to Germany). I also think having registration ups the value. I also think having the U2 postal envelope + the dog stamp + the red queen stamp is uncommon perhaps rare in its amalgamation. And the British stamp too. But I also agree with Lordening that it feels uncomfortable in its creation..and maybe better to pursue others.

Fire away

But I am drawn to its sweaty, rusty, beat up sort of appearance. It is like the antithesis of the plain white FDC from 1949 where the envelopes are pristine. Crudely speaking and apologies in advance, somehow the weathered old girl look is preferable to the NY model glossy girl look.

The Great Britain Stamp is Scott 114 which (in 2012) was Scott priced at US$3.25 used, $6.50 on cover.

It sold for $300.

Not to me happily.

Proof that valuing covers is like throwing darts.

I am a Newfoundland collector as well. This is a nice cover and it would have looked very nice in my collection but I would not have paid more than $100 for it.

Even if it is a philatelic creation, I think that the personal appeal of a cover or even stamps is an important factor in deciding a price to pay for a collector.

The eye appeal and possible display appeal is also a factor. If you are caught by it's appearance then others will be also.

Dressing it up with a good description will also add to it's value.

Hunting for a good deal is always a good thing!